Weekening...Christmas Decorating Begins...

Happy Monday Folks! I hope you all had a lovely weekend. Mine was pretty low key but very nice. There was a few plans cancelled but what can you do sometimes it happens. I also cannot believe it is the last week of November. I feel like I definitely did not complete all of my November goals because I feel like it has been a week since I posted about them!

Anyways, lets chat about my weekend. On Friday, there was some snow squalls forecasted and it was bitterly cold, we had made plans to go down to Sherbrooke Village for their opening night of their Old fashioned Christmas but with the weather and how cold it was no one really wanted to go. Of course the weather forecasted didn't really come but it was freezing running from the house to the car so again no one really wanted to spend the evening walking around. I did find out it is open until January for walk arounds so maybe we will try and plan another night. Instead, I headed out to dinner with my mom and Erica. We had a lovely dinner before hitting up Walmart and the mall. I also watched the Christmas Chronicles with Kurt Russel and I loved it. I love it when you can watch a new Christmas movie and love it as much as some of the classic ones.

On Saturday, it was full blown Christmas decoration time! It was basically that all weekend in all honesty but almost everything is finished now so bring on the rest of the holidays. I have one more tree to decorate for the landing on the stairs but I have the rest of the trees done. Yes, I said trees!

 

Christmas trees, snowman and Santa Clauses are my most favorite. I also have to finish decorating the office once I'm done with this post so I should probably move along soon. I'm hoping to get some Christmas crafts and baking down soon to share of ideas with everyone. I have seen a few new recipes I would like to try so hopefully they turn out and I can pass them along :)

 

Now onto my most favorite part of the weekend, snuggling with my boy. When Gus was a puppy he would almost NEVER wants to snuggle up with you but now since his old age (he is 9, he will be 10 in April) he loves cuddling up with you. He actually snugged up with me two different times and I loved it. My sweet baby Gus

 

Linking with Bianca today!



Christmas Bucket List!

Firstly I would like to wish a happy thanksgiving to all my American friends. I hope you all have a great thanksgiving with lots of good food and company!

Now, lets talk about my Christmas bucket list. Each year I kind of plan one of these for myself but never really think about after I plan it out so maybe this year I will have better luck. Now, mind you I normally do most of what is on my bucket list without even thinking about it. Do you make any bucket lists for the holidays, things you really want to do or events to want to hit up?

• go on a sleigh ride (this one is pushing it but maybe sometime in the winter)
• see the Christmas lights around town
• spend lots of time with family and friends
• host a cookie baking party
• read a Christmas themed book
• go to some Christmas parties
• make homemade hot cocoa
• watch Christmas movies with the family
• enjoy the season

I know I will probably end up going most of these without even having to think about it but it is nice to make a little list of things. We all know how much I love lists.

Anyways, it is time to move on and get some work done. I hope everyone has a wonderful Thursday.

xo

And so it begins....

It is the start of my Christmas themed posts. I know some of you are thinking why not wait and start in December well I have been in the festive mood for weeks now so you're lucky they did not start sooner. For my Christmas lovers like me I'm sorry I waited so long to start!

If you haven't figured it out yet I love Christmas and everything about it. For someone who normally hates crowds I even for the most part love the crowds at the malls (as long as I don't run into too many a**holes). I think my love of Christmas came from my mother who is probably the only person I know who loves Christmas more than I do. No, wait I know that it comes from my mom there is not doubt about that one. But this is topic for another day though because I have different plans for this post. 

This post is for the holiday movies are all love to cringe at but often can't help but watch them. Or you're like me and love them for how insanely cheesy they are. The Countdown to Christmas by Hallmark is on right now and I'm loving it. Yes, there are some of the movies that are so bad I can't watch but some of them are fantastic in the most cheesy ways. This meme basically sums up Hallmark movies...

Now, you're thinking okay Brittany we know you love these movies but there are so many to watch! Yes, there is and now I'm going to tell you which ones you should check out!

A December Bride: Aspiring interior designer Layla O'Reilly is dreading the Christmastime wedding of her cousin who's marrying Layla's ex-fiancé. Although Seth Murphy is the one responsible for introducing the bride and groom, she begrudgingly accepts his offer to be her date as she's out of options. Seth gets carried away at the reception and announces they're engaged, forcing a mortified Layla to keep up the pretense. But as the faux couple spends more time together they find themselves feeling something very real.

I first saw this movie last Christmas season and as far as the Hallmark movie goes I did enjoy this one. Story line of course the same as most but I liked it. Easy to watch and the characters were pretty likeable from the get go. Cheese Factor: 4.5 out of 5

Christmas Inheritance: Before ambitious heiress Ellen Langford can inherit her father's gift business, she must deliver a special Christmas card to her dad's former partner in Snow Falls, the hometown she never knew. When a snowstorm strands her at the town inn, she's forced to work for her keep, and in the process, finds romance and discovers the true gift of Christmas. 

This one is actually a Netflix movie but it it fills the same need as a true Hallmark movie. The characters are easy to like and it is nice little Christmas movie that can be watched with the kids. It might even teach them a nice lesson about Christmas. Cheese Factor: 3 out of 5

Christmas Next Door: Eric Randall, a famous author who writes about how to stay a bachelor is forced to look after his niece and nephew over the holidays and, with the help of his Christmas-loving neighbor, April Stewart, he learns to find love and the Christmas spirit.

This is another one that I first saw last season and I really did like it. Eric Randall is a tad hard to take but by mid movie you do warm up to him. Cute movie for the holidays. Cheese Factor: 4.5 out of 5

The Mistletoe Promise: Elise meets Nick, a single and handsome attorney, they quickly bond over their mutual dislike of the holidays. Nick shares that his law firm is considering making him a partner, but has a history of choosing only those who are married with a family. Realizing they're each about to face a lonely holiday season - and that having a girlfriend would increase his chances of being made a partner - Nick suggests the "mistletoe promise" that he and Elise pretend to be a couple until Christmas Eve.

Hallmark keeps their promise with a Mistletoe Promise of romance, Christmas and cheese! Again, another cute and easy to watch Christmas movie. The main characters are easy to like and Luke Macfarlane is pretty easy on the eyes. Cheese Factor: 4 out of 5

As you're reading this I'm probably decorating for Christmas and watching a Hallmark movie. OH and probably drinking some coffee out of the wonderful mug my friend Nicole made me!

Happy Monday Everyone!

*movie images taken from google images and movie summaries from IMDB.com 

Girly Chat: Juggling the Holidays!

Hey, two posts this week! I had planned on posting yesterday but alas I'm sick with a bit of infection, so I have been laying around more then being productive. Last week, I went to Halifax for my last follow up appointment with one of the doctors I had been seeing and he finally took me off the antibiotics I had been on since I came home from the hospital and of course this week I'm back on them! Well, different ones that aren't as strong but hey, my immune system isn't quite back to normal yet so we will just keep chugging through.

I wasn't sure what I was going to post about today but of course the lovely ladies who do Girly Chat are doing their link up today so bam I have an idea on what to post about now. This month their theme is Getting through the Holidays/Juggling the Holiday Season. I know this is something a number of us struggle with because it is busy time of year and a number of women still take on the bulk of Christmas because that is just what we do. I love pretty much everything about the holiday season and I don't have an overly stressful season because I do not have kids and all that jazz on my plate. But, I know it is crazy time of year for everyone, trying to get in everything and making sure you don't say no to almost anything or anyone. Christmas shopping, baking, parties, family stuff etc. It can all be very overwhelming that is for sure. I have one tip for getting through the holidays, it gets me through and makes it more fun and productive. Be/Get Organized!


I know it sounds overly simple but honestly if you makes your lists, plan things out and keep a schedule it will make things easier for you! I personally start making my lists in September/October. This means I know come November who I'm sending Christmas cards too, what I want to bake, basic ideas of the presents I want to buy and who I'm going to buy them for. In November, when the Christmas invites start print out a calendar and mark them down. Also, add in Christmas craft fairs you might want to go to, sales at your favorite shops or your kids Christmas concerts/events. If you can color code them so you can at a glance know what is what and not just a busy mess of Christmas events.

For those who know me you know I love being organized, it just makes life easier I think and around the holidays making life easier is always great because this is the one season you want to enjoy with your family and friends. Now, go and make some lists for Christmas! I swear you will like it but if not maybe I will come up with a better tip for next year!

Danielle | Emily

Monday, Monday.....

Okay, everyone please cross your fingers that my computer stays working. It has been good for the past two days so here is hoping it stays that way for the time being.

Did everyone have a good weekend? Did you attend a Remembrance Day ceremony? I did both well I attended a Remembrance Day ceremony on Friday at one of the local elementary schools which was very well done and I watch the live one from Ottawa each year. I think it is so important to remember the vets and soldiers serving now everyday but of course especially on Remembrance Day. On Friday, my cousin Callee was down to come to the ceremony as well because when she was young she found medals and things from a soldier in her attic so she donated them to her elementary after finding out the story behind the soldier John Ross. The school has adopted John as their soldier and continues to pay tribute to him each year. It was lovely to see how they still carry on this tradition of celebrating him after a time of year since Callee has left the school. 

Since Callee was down we decided to go and have a nice lunch and catch up since we hadn't seen each other in awhile. It was great to have Callee around for some the day and have made plans for some more family Christmas-y stuff soon!

As for the rest of my weekend, I didn't do a whole lot because the weather was awful on Saturday so I went and did a couple of errands and then just chilled for the rest of the day/night. I did have plans to be somewhat productive on Sunday but that didn't happen. I'm hoping today will my day to get some stuff before work on Tuesday. I'm excited for Tuesday evening since I have a paint night to go to which should be great fun. They always are, I love them! It will be a year since I really got into doing some painting this week actually. Verna Paton (Paton with Verna on Facebook for anyone who wants to check her out) is the instructor and she is just a wonderful lady! I never thought I would love painting as much as I do and it is all because of Verna! She can make everything so simple for us beginners that things actually come together and you make some nice art!

Anyways, lets get this Monday going! I hope you all have an amazing day!

Also, linking-up with Biana today!

We Remeber

 

Thank You

Quick Hello

I swear I'm not ignoring my blog on purpose! My computer is dying a slow death I do believe so sometimes it will turn on and sometimes it won't! Lets just say I probably be getting a new one within the next couple of months and if I'm lucky I might even get it from Santa ;)

That being said I'm just here for a quick hello since I'm at work and need to get some stuff done. I just wanted to let everyone know where I am. Here is hoping my computer decides it likes me tonight so I will be able to get a couple posts done and ready to post.

Hope everyone is having a great week!

November Goals and Friday Favorites

And here we are into the month of November! It is coming to my most favorite time of year...yes Christmas! I love everything about it so get ready for a lot of Christmas-y posts over the next two months. I started out October talking about some goals I wanted to accomplish over the month and I decided to have that same idea for the beginning of this month. I think I should probably review my goals from October before moving onto November and see how I did...

1. Get my closets cleaned out and organized! Finish switching over the summer clothes to autumn/winter. I have started this I have a pile of summer clothes on my floor. Check!

 

2. Try at least 2 new recipes for the crock pot. I love using my slow cooker but sometimes I just don't know what to make so I'm on the look out for some recipes so if you have any leave them for me. Nope! Only got out the slow cooker to make a soup I make often

 

3. Finish a few craft projects I have on the go, especially one that I need to have for a Christmas present this year! I know but it is a big one I have been working on for while so I need to get back at it now otherwise it won't be a gift for this year. Nope but I did start and finish a couple of new ones haha

 

4. Speaking of Christmas, I would like to start my shopping for it this month just to get a jump on it or at least be on the look out for some ideas. I have my lists started but I don't stick to a strict list when Christmas shopping for my family and friends. Check!

 

5. Plan out my 12 Days of Christmas blog posts. I have some fun ideas for it so hopefully they will come together for me. Check!

 

6. Enjoy most days! I know this one sounds kind of silly but after the summer I had I know how special life is and you just have to enjoy your life. You only get one. Check!

I think I did pretty good! 4 out of 6 isn't bad! But I do really have to get on that Christmas craft train so I will actually have certain gifts done for people. Now for the November Goals...

• Get Christmas Craft Projects finished before you start new a new one.
• Plan some fun Christmas-y evenings with family/friends
• Make Christmas cards/Send out
• Finishing organizing the office
• Have most Christmas shopping done by end of November

I think this is quite a doable things for November. Enough but not too much and vague enough I can do other things along with them. What are your goals for November?

I'm also linking up with Erika, Andrea and Narci this week because who doesn't love talking about your favorites of the week and reading about others.

 

{erika | andrea | narci}

My favorites this week were all the birthday celebrations I got to have and all the family time. I love all of it. It is always nice when you truly get along with your family. The older I have gotten the more I have realized how special family is and how special your chosen family is. 

Have a great weekend everyone!  

Halloween Round Up!

Hello November! I really cannot believe it is November already! Where is this year going? I swear it was just the beginning of October and now it is gone. But, better to have the days going by then not so lets keep it moving.

How was everyone's Halloween? Mine was great! On Tuesday for the last of my birthday celebrations my brother and his girlfriend Lindsay come over to carve pumpkins and have pizza which is always fun. Erica wasn't feeling well so I did her pumpkin this year. I was thinking about doing third one but I didn't this year maybe I will next year. On Halloween we had a good amount of treaters and of course they were all adorable well the ones I saw where.

I hope everyone had a safe and happy Halloween! Now, time to go back and see what October goals I successful finished and what need to keep on the November list!